Cyclone Nivar LIVE: Sec 144 revoked in Puducherry; three dead in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Live tracker: IMD issued an amber-coloured warning (second most dangerous in the list) for coastal Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Stay tuned for Cyclone Nivar latest updates

4:59 PM

Cyclone Nivar brings torrential rains to Andhra Pradesh, one dead

Normal life was thrown out of gear as heavy to extremely heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 30 cm battered at least half of Andhra Pradesh under the influence of cyclone Nivar, leaving one dead. Another farmer was feared washed away while NDRF personnel rescued two others from a reservoir in Chittoor district. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, SPS Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa, Krishna, Prakasam and East Godavari districts received heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at more than 177 places.

 

Other districts like Anantapuramu, Kurnool, Guntur and West Godavari were also receiving moderate to heavy rainfall under Nivars impact. It said gales with a speed of 45-65 kmph were lashing SPS Nellore and Chittoor districts bordering Tamil Nadu. Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, has been receiving incessant rain since Wednesday, causing a lot of hardship to hundreds of devotees stranded there.

4:26 PM

LIVE: Three killed as cyclone Nivar wreaks havoc in Tamil Nadu

Three persons were killed and an equal number injured as the very severe cyclonic storm Nivar wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Thursday. According to the Tamil Nadu government, three persons lost their lives due to rain related incidents and three got injured. The state government also said that 26 cattle had also died in the storm. On its way the cyclone also damaged several houses, uprooted trees and power lines in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore, Marakkanam and in Puducherry also.

 

A total of 101 houses, including thatched huts and tiled houses were damaged by cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government said.

 

According to the government, about 380 trees were uprooted by Nivar and 14 acre banana plantation was also damaged. In Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, police said the fallen trees have been removed to ease the flow of traffic. The government said it was carrying out the repairs quickly to restore power lines. A total of 19 electric poles, which fell down, have been repaired.

3:51 PM

Nivar cyclone: Several houses waterlogged in Andhra's Chittoor due to heavy rainfall

Scores of houses in Chittoor district's Vadamalapeta Mandal were waterlogged on Thursday due to the heavy rainfall caused by cyclone Nivar. Due to the heavy rainfall, people are facing several problems as water entered into their households. Heavy rain affected several areas in Chittoor district including Erpedu, Srikalahasti, Satyavedu, and Renigunta. Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Commissioner K Kannababu said that there is no loss of life so far in the state due to cyclone Nivar.

 

"Extremely heavy rainfall is recorded in 9 Mandals and heavy rainfall is recorded in 96 Mandals in 7 districts of the state. Wind speed is less than 65 kmph in Andhra Pradesh, so not much damage is reported," he said. "The situation is fully under control and district collectors are on the alert to face any situation. 7,772 people have been evacuated in various places of AP, and 111 relief camps are being organized, especially in Nellore, Chittoor and some parts of Kadapa and Prakasam districts".

 

Kannababu further said that both State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response (NDR) teams are deployed and some teams have been kept in standby.

3:30 PM

Cyclone Nirav LIVE: Tamil Nadu Deputy CM visits water-logged areas in Chennai

3:01 PM

Cyclone Nirav LIVE: Amit Shah assures Tamil Nadu, Puducherry CMs of all possible help

2:37 PM

Cyclone Nivar effect: 164 places receive more than 60 mm rainfall in Andhra Pradesh

In the past 24 hours till Thursday morning, 164 places in Andhra Pradesh witnessed a rainfall of more than 60 mm as the very severe cyclonic storm Nivar lashed the whole state. According to the Meteorological department, five places in Nellore district registered the highest rainfall -- APFT Colony (302.7 mm), Boggulamitta Ward (272.7 mm), MPP School (264 mm), Summer storage tank (242.7 mm) and Thatipatri (239.5 mm). Chittoor district Collector Narayan Bharat Gupta said an average of 8.6 cm rainfall lashed a few places in the district on Wednesday.

 

"Varadaiyapalem, Yerpedu, Srikalahasti, Satyavedu, Nagulapuram, Vijayapuram and Narayanavanam mandals witnessed rainfall more than 12 cm," said Gupta.

 

Due to heavy inflow, he said the gates of the major reservoirs were being opened to release water. Advising caution to the public, the Collector said people should not attempt to cross the roads even if the water flow is less. "We request you to stay at home safely for one or two days, until the situation gets better," said Gupta. He said the district administration shut roads in K.V. Puram and Pichapuram because of the heavy outflow of rain water.

2:02 PM

LIVE: Nivar weakens into cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu

The severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Tamil Nadu and it is set to further weaken into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

 

"Severe cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. The cyclonic storm Nivar would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during next 06 hours and into a depression by subsequent 06 hours," the IMD said on its twitter handle.

 

Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry in the wee hours of today even as heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu and the union territory leading to inundation and uprooting of trees. Nivar also weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after it crossed coast near Puducherry.

1:45 PM

Cyclone Nivar: Three killed, 3 more injured in Tamil Nadu, essential services restored

At least three people have been killed while another three suffered injuries due to Cyclone Nivar in Tamil Nadu, Atulya Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary of the state said here on Thursday.

 

"It was a very serious cyclone. Due to measures taken by the state government, things are very much in control. As of now only 3 deaths have been reported while 3 people were injured. 101 huts damaged, and 380 fallen trees removed. There is a complete restoration of essential services. There is no problem of drinking water, electricity, or any healthcare," Mishra told ANI.

 

Waterlogging in parts of Chennai city was seen following overnight rainfall due to the cyclone.

 

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said "severe" cyclonic storm Nivar weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Tamil Nadu. "It would continue to move northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression during the next 6 hours and into a depression by subsequent 6 hours," IMD said.

12:41 PM

Cyclone Nivar impact: Offices, factories remain closed in Chennai

Many factories, offices and commercial establishments remained closed in and around Chennai on Thursday as the very severe cyclonic storm Nivar, crossed the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Meanwhile, Chennai received 1497.60 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours 9(till 6 am).

 

Some of the factories including Hyundai, Ashok Leyland and a few other manufacturing units in and around Chennai were also closed.

 

Tamil Nadu government had announced a public holiday in 16 districts, including Chennai, due to the cyclone. Read on...

11:45 AM

We're closely monitoring situation in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar, says Amit Shah

Have spoken to Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami & Puducherry CM V.Narayanasamy and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams are on ground to help people in need: Amit Shah

10:37 AM

Puducherry: NDRF personnel clear uprooted trees in Kamaraj Nagar area

9:56 AM

Chennai to have moderate rainfall till tomorrow: IMD

9:56 AM

Fishermen advised not to go to sea in South-coastal Andhra Pradesh & North-coastal Tamil Nadu: IMD

8:53 AM

Tamil Nadu: Waterlogging in parts of Chennai city following overnight rainfall due to cyclone nivar

8:44 AM

Cyclone Nivar: Railways cancels trains

The Railways has cancelled over a dozen special trainsscheduled to either originate from and terminate in the southern states, and offered full refund.